By Dave Begel Contributing Writer Published Nov 20, 2007 at 5:20 AM

It seems to me that there are two ways that a general manager of a sports team can go about his day.

One is to talk to other people, watch the waiver wire, listen to scuttlebutt, call a few agents and other general managers and find out which players are available and whether they would be a good fit.

The other way is to look at your team, see what you need and then try to fill that need.

I think the second way is best, although there is value to the first as well.

Using the second method, I am channeling Bucks general manager Larry Harris today and here's what I hear head coach Larry Krystkowiak screaming:

"Find me a damn point guard. Please."

Basketball has become a game of roles. It's always been said that you win titles in the NBA with a great big man. But, great point guard is creeping up on that big guy. In terms of importance and the position has become critical.

Now, this is not exactly a science. Numbers, while an indicator, don't tell the entire story. When it comes to statistics, the Bucks are in the middle of the pack.

Mo Williams ranks 16th in the NBA in assists per 48 minutes and Charlie Bell ranks 24th. Assists per 48 minutes is a better measure than assists per game because it evens out the playing time disparity.

But, more than stats, it's watching the team play. Although the Bucks have been a nice surprise so far, let's not get too satisfied or overjoyed. It's a long season and we want them to get better. Much better.

And that means having a point guard whose primary purpose is to get the ball to other players in positions that are advantageous to the team.

Try as I might, and despite protestations to the contrary, I believe that deep down Mo Williams is looking to score first and pass second. Don't get me wrong. I think he's a good player, but I think point guard is not his natural position.

Bell is a slightly different story. He's a better defender than Williams, but I think he still doesn't execute the offense from the point. He's a good situational passer, but doesn't create his own situations.

And contrary to popular opinion, I think the Bucks could put together a very attractive package to shop around the league in their search for a point guard.

They could put either Williams or Bell in that package and add Charlie Villanueva to make a trade tandem that would look good and wouldn't really hurt the Bucks that much.

A point guard would replace the guard in that trade package. And Villanueva is going to see less and less time as Yi continues to improve. In addition, you know how they say some players "play bigger than they are?" Villanueva plays smaller than he is. I'd venture to say that he and Bobby Simmons play about the same height, even though Simmons is five inches shorter.

The Bucks are my favorite sports team and I'd be happier to see them in the NBA Finals than I would be to see the Packers in the playoffs. But they aren't going to get there until they find a talented point guard to run an offense.

Dave Begel Contributing Writer

With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.

He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.

This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.

Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.